Forecasting Emerging Technologies in Intelligent Machine Tools: A Novel Framework Based on Community Analysis

Abstract

Having emerged as strategic focal points in industrial transformation and technological innovation, intelligent machine tools are pivotal in the field of intelligent manufacturing. Accurately forecasting emerging technologies within this domain is crucial for guiding intelligent manufacturing’s evolution and fostering rapid innovation. However, prevailing research methodologies exhibit limitations, often concentrating on popular topics at the expense of lesser-known yet significant areas, thereby impacting the accurate identification of research priorities. The complex, systemic, and interdisciplinary nature of intelligent machine tool technology challenges traditional research approaches, particularly in assessing technological maturity and intricate interactions. To overcome these challenges, we propose a novel framework that leverages technological communities for a comprehensive analysis. This approach clusters data into specific topics which are reflective of the technology system, facilitating detailed investigations within each area. By refining community analysis methods and integrating structural and interactive community features, our framework significantly improves the precision of emerging technology predictions. Our research not only validates the framework but also projects key emerging technologies in intelligent machine tools, offering valuable insights for business leaders and scholars alike.

The Development Trends of Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Machine Tool Technology

“…Accurately predicting the key technologies of intelligent machine tools is a crucial issue. However, the analysis of data from the literature lacks the demands of real industrial development [6]. In the context of Industry 4.0, to determine the development sequence of the manufacturing industry, multi-criteria decision-making methods such as the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and the Analytic Network Process (ANP) can be used for analysis and validation to obtain the order of priorities [7,8].…”